Content of the Time-Section Plots

These are real time time-section plots produced by the 12km NAM Model. Here is a sample plot:

VARIABLES FOUND ON THE FORECAST TIME-SECTION PLOTS:

CLOUD WATER MIXING RATIO:
Values of kg/kg in the green/yellow/red colors scaled by 10**5. The scale is shown in the upper left corner of the plot.

CLOUD ICE MIXING RATIO:
Values of kg/kg in the blue/purple colors scaled by 10**5. The scale is shown in the upper right corner of the plot.

TEMPERATURE:
The 0 degree Celsius isotherm is depicted with a solid black line, while the -15 degree C isotherm is a dashed black line.

WINDS:
Vertical profiles of forecast winds are shown in KNOTS.
TERRAIN:
The terrain is shown in brown at the bottom of the plot. Surface pressure can be determined by using the pressure axis on the left side of the plot.

NOTICE THE TIME AXIS ON THE BOTTOM. THESE PLOTS GO BACKWARD IN TIME AS REQUESTED BY THE FIELD TO ASSESS THE "UPSTREAM CONDITIONS." AS YOU EXAMINE THE PLOTS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE EARLIEST FORECAST TIMES ARE ON THE RIGHT. THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR THE SURFACE METEOGRAMS.